What does screen locking sound do?
Screen locking sound refers to the noise or clicking sound that plays when the screen on a smartphone or tablet locks or turns off. It provides audio feedback to indicate that the device’s screen has been successfully locked and is no longer interactive.
On many Android devices, when the timeout period for screen locking passes, or the user manually locks the screen, a clicking, tapping, or locking sound briefly plays to confirm the screen is now locked. This is the screen locking sound setting.
The sound notifies users in an audio manner that the touchscreen is now disabled and won’t respond to input. It can be useful from an accessibility and usability perspective.
Purpose
The main purpose of the screen locking sound is to provide an audible alert to the user that the device’s screen has just been locked or unlocked [1]. This serves as a confirmation that the screen state has changed, which can be useful especially when the user cannot see the screen. It provides immediate feedback that the screen lock was successful or that the device is now accessible after unlocking. Without this sound, the transition between an unlocked and locked screen is seamless and provides no indication to the user that the state has changed. Overall, it aims to enhance the user experience by providing greater awareness of the device’s status.
Sound Options
The most common screen locking sounds across operating systems are:
- On iOS, the default is a clicking sound. Users can customize it in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Lock Sound. (Source)
- On Android, the default is a locking sound. Users can customize it in Settings > Sound & Vibration > Screen Locking Sounds.
- Samsung devices also have a default locking sound that can be changed in Settings > Sounds and Vibration > Screen Lock Sound.
- For Windows devices, there is no default system locking sound, but users can enable and customize a sound in Personalization > Lock Screen.
Overall, the most common default sounds are a clicks or short locking sounds. They provide audio feedback when the screen locks.
Customization
One of the most common reasons people look into changing the screen lock sound is for customization purposes. The default unlock sounds on Android and iOS devices can get repetitive and annoying over time. Thankfully, both operating systems allow you to customize or completely mute the unlock sound.
On Android, you can change the default lock screen sound by going into your device’s Settings app, selecting Sound & vibration (or Sound depending on your Android version), and choosing Lock screen. From here you can select from preset sounds or choose a sound file stored on your device. There are also apps like Zedge that offer a wide selection of custom sounds and ringtones to use.
For iPhones, you can customize the lock sound by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and selecting Unlock under the Sound and Vibration Patterns section. This will let you pick from a variety of tones or create your own custom vibration pattern.
You can also completely mute the lock/unlock sound on both platforms. On Android this is done by toggling off “Lock screen sounds” in Settings, while on iOS you can turn off “Lock Sounds” in Sounds & Haptics. This is useful if you find the sound disruptive or loud.
Overall, both Android and iOS provide easy ways to tailor the lock screen sound to your preferences or mute it entirely for a more discreet experience. Customizing this sound is a great way to add some personal flair to your device.
Source: https://droidrant.com/how-do-i-change-the-unlock-sound-on-my-android/
Accessibility
Screen locking sounds can be an important accessibility feature for visually impaired users. The audio feedback from the lock sound helps confirm when the screen has been successfully locked. This provides reassurance, especially when the device is being put away into a pocket or bag.
Both Android and iOS offer settings to enable lock sounds specifically for accessibility purposes. On Android, enabling the “Screen locking sounds” option in Sound settings turns on lock sounds only if TalkBack or other accessibility services are active [1]. For iPhone, the “Lock Sounds” setting in Accessibility can be enabled to hear lock clicks independently of system sound settings [2].
Making use of these accessibility-focused options allows visually impaired users to maintain lock sounds for confirmation and feedback, while other users can disable sounds as preferred.
Security
The audible lock screen notification serves as a security feature on smartphones. When enabled, it provides an audible confirmation that the device’s screen has been locked. This can reassure users that their phone is protected and deter potential snooping if someone else is within earshot.
According to discussions on the Apple support forums, the lock sound feature originally debuted on iPhones as a security measure: “Lock Sound is the sound the phone makes when you lock the screen by pressing the button on the right side. If you turn off Lock Sound in Sounds and Haptics, it won’t make that sound when you lock the screen anymore.”
The audible notification makes it harder for someone to quickly access a phone unnoticed if the owner has stepped away briefly. It signals that the screen has been locked and secured.
Energy Saving
Screen locking sounds and other notification sounds can impact battery life and energy consumption on mobile devices. When a phone or tablet goes into sleep mode, turning off the display, sounds may continue to play when notifications come in, using processing power and draining the battery faster.
Both iOS and Android include settings to disable notification sounds when the device screen is locked or sleeping. This prevents sounds from unnecessarily running in the background when the screen is not in use.
For example, on an iPhone go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and toggle off “Lock Sounds” to disable sounds when locking the screen. Android devices have similar settings in Sounds & Vibration to disable “Screen locking sounds.”
Disabling notification sounds in sleep mode can help extend battery life, allowing the device to enter a deeper, more energy efficient sleep state without constant sounds waking it up. However, users may miss audible alerts for new messages or alerts.
Overall, adjusting screen lock sound settings provides a way to optimize for battery life versus audible notifications based on personal preferences and usage patterns.
User Experience
The screen locking sound is an important part of the user interface feedback for many devices. According to an Android Central forum discussion, the sound gives users confirmation that their screen has turned off or locked properly after tapping the power button or using a gesture like double tapping (source). Without this audible confirmation, the transition from an unlocked device to a locked one is less clear.
Similarly, on iPhones the characteristic locking sound lets users know their screen has been successfully locked and the device is secured. As noted in a Reddit thread, the sound is tied to the screen turning off so users can be confident their phone is locked when they hear it (source). The sound is a key part of the iPhone user experience and disabling it lessens that feedback.
For many users, the locking sound has simply become part of the muscle memory of securely locking their device. Removing the sound takes away both that confirmation and familiar cue that their device is now locked down.
Alternatives
There are a few alternative apps and options that can provide similar functionality to screen locking sounds:
Silent notifications allow you to receive notifications without any sounds playing. This is helpful if you want your phone to remain quiet when the screen is locked. On Android devices, you can enable the “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications. On iPhones, enable the “Silent” switch. Some third party apps like Sound Lock also let you disable notification sounds when the screen is locked.
Custom notification sounds can be set for each individual app. So you could have a subtle, quiet tone for low priority notifications when your phone is locked. The default notification sounds can be loud and distracting, so using custom sounds allows more control.
Some Android launchers like Nova Launcher have features to hide sensitive notification content when your phone is locked. This prevents sounds as well as hides message contents until you unlock the phone.
On a system level, both iOS and Android have settings to disable all sounds when Do Not Disturb mode is enabled. This blocks ringtones, alerts, and other audio when the phone is locked.
Overall, silent notifications and custom notification tones provide alternatives to default screen locking sounds. Adjusting system settings can also help mute sounds when a phone is locked and not in use.
Conclusion
Screen locking sounds allow users to get audible feedback when their device’s screen locks or unlocks. The most common options are a locking “click” sound and an unlocking “whoosh” sound. While some find these sounds repetitive or annoying, others appreciate the confirmation that their screen has securely locked. Most mobile operating systems allow users to customize or turn off the lock sounds if desired. Ultimately, audible lock feedback improves accessibility for visually impaired users. It also enhances security by confirming when the device locks, and saves energy by avoiding accidental wake ups. With the ability to personalize settings, screen locking sounds aim to balance utility, security and user experience.